Tell me 10 fun facts about Catherine the Great
1. Catherine the Great was born in 1729 in Stettin, Prussia (now Szczecin, Poland) and her birth name was Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg.
2. She became the Empress of Russia in 1762 after a coup that removed her husband, Peter III, from the throne.
3. Catherine the Great was known for her love of the arts and literature, as she amassed a large collection of art and established the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
4. She was a patron of the Enlightenment and corresponded with leading thinkers of the time, including Voltaire and Denis Diderot.
5. Catherine the Great greatly expanded the Russian Empire, acquiring new territories in Europe, Asia, and the Caucasus region.
6. She played a key role in the partitioning of Poland, which led to the eventual dissolution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
7. Catherine the Great had several lovers throughout her life, including Grigory Potemkin, who was one of her closest advisors.
8. She was known for her wit and intelligence, as well as her political acumen, earning her the title of "Catherine the Great."
9. Catherine the Great ruled Russia for over 30 years, making her one of the longest-reigning female leaders in history.
10. She died in 1796 and was succeeded by her son, Paul I. Today, Catherine the Great is remembered as one of Russia's most influential and progressive rulers.